Today we’re tackling a struggle that we all face throughout our lives- especially when stepping into leadership and coaching roles or a role with higher responsibility and accountability.
Think about this: when was the last time you felt like you’re not good enough? Like at any moment, someone’s going to figure out you don’t belong here, you’re not enough, you don’t know what you’re talking about, you should step out of the limelight and put down the mic because you’re totally not qualified. Maybe it was a couple of hours ago or two months ago, but regardless, you’re not alone in it.
Imposter syndrome affects even the most accomplished people- CEOs, famous athletes, world-renowned speakers, established leaders, and authors. Or check out Moses in Exodus 4:10 telling God he’s not eloquent enough, Jeremiah in 1:6 saying he’s too young, or Sarah laughing at becoming pregnant because she’s too old. God's bigger than our self-doubt. Every time.
Here’s the truth:
Self-doubt in any form doesn't mean you lack credibility or competence or especially calling. It just means you care.
So let’s unpack this myth and reframe imposter syndrome as a sign of growth rather than a roadblock.
The reality is that imposter syndrome is very common, especially among high achievers. Studies show nearly 70% of people experience it at some point in their careers. And the reason is that growth always brings discomfort. Self-doubt doesn’t disqualify you. It can be a signal that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, pushing boundaries, and expanding into new opportunities. The verse comes to mind about enlarging the place of your tent in Isaiah 54:2 and is used in a spiritual context, urging us to expand our lives and embrace God's promises, not actually go make your four-man camping tent a ten-man tent.
The What~Ifs
I want you to imagine getting your first client, or your first high-paying client, or if you've been coaching awhile maybe it's a high-profile client you were surprised booked you. The moment you get on the call, or as you prepare for it, you start second-guessing yourself. You start thinking thoughts like,
"What if they realize I’m not enough?"
"What if they ask a question I can’t answer?"
"What if they don’t feel they’re getting results?"
"What if I start feeling anxious about everything and get stuck?"
First of all, you know I’m going to remind you to manage your own thought life, consider what you’re thinking, address what you’re believing, and invite the spirit of truth within you to rise up and begin leading your soul, which is your mind, emotions, will and personality. Lead yourself well. Coach yourself. Get a coach to help you manage this.
Now let’s shift that ‘what if’ mindset to ‘how’ and instead of being reactive to your fear, be proactive about knowing what you can and will offer, then get creative about how you will do it. When you are operating in fear, you’re trying to push away from the shore of everything you’re afraid might happen, whether it’s real or perceived. At some point, after leaving the shore and paddling away, you have to turn around in your boat and start paddling towards something. This means finding a horizon, deciding it’s what you’re moving towards, and figuring out ‘how’ you’ll get there.
Instead of those what-ifs, reframe them to be proactive and creative.
“How will I show up and be fully available on this call?”
“How will I respond if I don’t know the answer to a question?”
“How will I encourage them to continue taking right action for themselves if they don’t seem to be getting results?”
“How will I move forward in this session and keep the focus on my client?”
I also know from experience in my own coaching that it's easy to spend hours rereading notes, obsessing over knowledge and certifications you have or don't have, and doubting whether you’re truly qualified to guide this person in the work they’ve committed to doing. You can easily convince yourself you are a fraud by allowing these thoughts to sabotage you.
But here’s what you need to know and pay attention to:
Your client didn’t hire you because you’re perfect.
They hired you because of your unique perspective, your ability to listen, and your genuine desire to help them grow. And when you focus on serving rather than proving yourself, your impact becomes undeniable.
If you’ve ever hired a coach, worked with me, or even if you’ve just paid someone to do something, EVER, then ask yourself if you had the expectation that they'd do it perfectly, without hindrance, exactly how you wanted it done, and not only were the results immediate but it was all done right the first time without strain or error. I imagine you never hire someone for these reasons. And your clients didn't hire you for them. You would want a coach who is human, not a robot. You want someone who identifies with you, meaning they must know failure because you sure do.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
So how do we break free from imposter syndrome? Here are some powerful shifts:
Reframe Imposter Syndrome as Growth
Instead of seeing self-doubt as proof of inadequacy, recognize it as a sign you’re stretching. The feeling of being “out of your depth” is actually a marker of progress.
Focus on Your Wins
When doubt creeps in, reflect on your past victories. Create a “confidence list” where you collect client testimonials, thank-you messages, and personal milestones. Let that be a reminder that you do bring value. You can even write down situations where you know you did well and got it right so you can look at it and remind yourself, “Hey, I’ve done it before, I can do it again.”
The Willingness to Try
I have a coaching formula called the confidence CACHE, meaning a collection of something you store up.
CONFIDENCE is actually just being willing to try regardless of the risk of failure or success and with a belief that you’ll survive either way. When you reframe confidence as the willingness to show up and try it changes things.
From this willingness you take ACTION. Figure out what you need to do and then do it.
After taking action, you actually get a ton of CLARITY. No matter the outcome, clarity is the big win.
When you have clarity, you can figure the HOW from the HINDSIGHT you now have. How you did something will be a game changer for the next action.
And finally, the e in cache, is for EMOTIONS. Not just any emotions, but the emotions of readiness, meaning certainty, competency, and courage. Many times we think we are looking for confidence but what we are really wishing for is actually the certainty that cannot be guaranteed, the competency that must be walked out, and the courage that rises up along the way.
Building Confidence
Finally, the only way to truly overcome self-doubt is by doing the work. Confidence is something you develop over time, and readiness comes later. Confidence is willingness, readiness is the emotion that’s a byproduct of your willingness to show up, keep trying, do it all again, and let experience speak for itself.
And one more thing: be kind to yourself. You don’t have to be perfect to make an impact. The best coaches aren’t the ones who know it all- they’re the ones who show up authentically and are willing to grow alongside their clients.
Actionable Takeaway
I want to challenge you today:
Write down three moments where you made a difference for a client.
Reflect on how those moments showcase your value.
Share one of those wins publicly—whether it’s on social media, a blog post, or just with a friend.
When you own your impact, you strengthen your confidence cache, squash the imposter, eliminate the doubt, and inspire others to do the same.
Remember, even the most successful coaches wrestle with imposter syndrome and have to work through it. The difference is that they don’t let it define them.
So, keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep stepping into your purpose. Your journey matters, and your story of being in process is a strength, not a weakness. Clients will appreciate your humility in it.
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